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Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars for #SundaySupper

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars | Magnolia Days

Do you eat in your car? Specifically do you eat while driving? I rarely do. Usually it is only sipping on water or coffee. I think my aversion to eating in the car comes from two things. One being there was no way my parents would allow any food consumption in their vehicles. It’s the way I was raised. The other is I make a total mess. Even with these Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars I wound up with seeds, chocolate chips, and crumbs on my lap.

Next time the bars will stay in the container. Well, until I arrive at my destination. I’ll be taking them to potlucks, parties, or as a surprise gift to a friend. They travel well. In fact, the original recipe came from a section in a cookbook for treats to make and ship. Of course I had to put my own touch on the recipe. And I bookmarked the section so I could later refer to the tips for packing up and mailing cookies or bars.

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars | Magnolia Days

What are some of those tips? Coffee cans, tins, or shoe boxes are good containers to use. How neat it would be to use antique ones for collector friends. Place two cookies back to back and wrap them with plastic wrap. Make sure cookies and bars are completely cool prior to packing. Pack them as tight as possible without crushing and fill spaces with crumpled foil or plastic wrap. Then place that container in a larger box and cushion it on all sides with packing materials.

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars | Magnolia Days

How are the Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars? They have a slight caramel or molasses flavor from brown sugar. Oats and coconut flakes are combined with flour, butter, and egg to make the base. There’s a little vanilla in the mix too. Chocolate chips and sunflower seeds are scattered about on top. Use salted sunflower kernels if you enjoy a salty/sweet combo.

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars | Magnolia Days

Transporting food can be easy to do. All you need is recipes and tips for food that travels well. Where to find them? All you have to do is scroll down and there is a handy list. Sunday Supper tastemakers have come together to share ones to make to for taking on the road or shipping. Take a look at vegetable salad for a savory side to take to potlucks or picnics. Special thanks to Marion of Life Tastes Good and Coleen of The Redhead Baker for hosting this event.

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars | Magnolia Days
4.58 from 7 votes
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Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars are loaded with oats and coconut and topped with chocolate chips and salted sunflower seed kernels. Great for snacks and treats.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24 bars
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease and line a 13- X 9- X 2-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
  3. Add egg and vanilla and beat to combine.
  4. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture and beat until combined.
  5. Stir in oats and coconut.
  6. Press mixture evenly in prepared pan.
  7. Sprinkle chocolate chips and sunflower kernels on top.
  8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
  9. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Recipe Notes

Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Bars are loaded with oats and coconut and topped with chocolate chips and salted sunflower seed kernels. Great for snacks and treats.

Recipe adapted from Southern Living 1983 Annual Recipes cookbook (no longer in print).

Are you going on a road trip or to a potluck? Take a look at these recipes for food that travels well by Sunday Supper tastemakers:

Adventurous Appetizers

Destination Desserts

Mains in Motion

Sightseeing Sides

Traveling Treats

More Tips

Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Recipe Rating




Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

These bars look so good! There's no way they would make it to our destination still in their container!

Teresa

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

Thanks for this recipe, Renee. Had everything on hand so I made them yesterday. If I make them again I'll try pressing the chocolate chips into the dough after sprinkling them on, and/or may reduce the amount of sunflower seeds. Too many chocolate chips didn't adhere, and fell off while cutting. It probably would have helped to follow the order given in the recipe as the chips might've adhered just fine if I'd put them down before the sunflower seeds. Oops.

Renee

Tuesday 7th of July 2015

Yes, sprinkling the chocolate chips on first definitely helps. I didn't have any to fall off. The amount of sunflower seeds is something that can be adjusted to taste. I really enjoy them and so I loaded them on. I hope they do better for you next time.

Mary Ellen

Monday 6th of July 2015

These look delicious Renee! I think they'd be a great hit wherever you took them. My parents didn't let us eat in the car either growing up.

Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm

Monday 6th of July 2015

These are definitely a treat that is right up my alley. I am drooling here.

Terri Oliver Steffes

Monday 6th of July 2015

LOL, I travel a lot for work so eating in the car has to be done but you are right, it is a mess. I think these bars look so good! Thanks for stopping by my blog, banana pie in a jar!